Finally, John is moving in! George, the project architect, and Arthur, the landscape gardener, take us round the garden and explain how it's designed to increase biodiversity. Over the past few years John has been making his own furniture, from a burnt down shed, and from upcycling other bits and pieces he's found. He's excited, and nervous, to fin…

John is getting on with building the cassettes for his own home. But due to lockdown and Brexit, the project budget is running tight, and We Can Make has to come up with some creative solutions. John tears up a wooden floor in a school that is being demolished, and lays it in his own home, together with Toni and his daughter Emily. About this serie…

‘It’s kind of like big lego,’ explains John. He goes to the We Can Make factory in Bristol, where he tries out various companies’ MMC, or Modern Methods of Construction. These are big cassettes made out of plywood, which can be assembled easily, and repurposed at the end of their lives. John is looking forward to the house, but his parents’ ill hea…

John has finally got planning permission for his house - hallelujah! He discusses the pitfalls and complications with Toni, who has been waiting just as long as he has for permission for her two-bedroom home. We also hear from Mike Rogers, from the Bristol City Council, who tells us why the process took so long. About this series At 55, John found …

Before John could start designing his one-bedroom home, he needed to make sure the neighbours would be happy with it. Melissa tells us about the Design Code, a set of rules co-written with the community in order to get the homes through planning permission. He also chats to Sam, who is in the process of co-designing his own fully accessible home. h…

John invites us into his shed. It’s cosy, but not exactly comfortable, and he's too embarrassed to invite his parents or grandkids round. He talks to Melissa from We Can Make, who explains how they’ve been finding plots of land for the housing project, and Bill, who’s letting him build in his back garden. About this series At 55, John found himself…

At 55, John found himself living in a shed in a yard full of engine parts. So when We Can Make asked him if he wanted to pioneer the first home of a revolutionary sustainable housing project, he jumped at the chance. Join John as he finds the land, designs his house, pushes it through planning permission and finally starts getting his hands dirty..…

Knowle Westers sorting out their housing. Recorded with a live audience in the prototype We Can Make House, in this episode, hosts Makala Cheung and John Bennett chat with Bristol builders, Aaron and Jordan from Modern World Builders, about the importance of negotiating and communicating with neighbours when it comes to building new homes. Get stuc…

Knowle Westers sorting out their housing. Recorded with a live audience in the prototype We Can Make House, in this episode, hosts Makala Cheung and John Bennett chat with Knowle West residents, Don and Charlie, about how homes need to change to meet the changing needs of families. Get stuck into this episode's game 'Who's in the house? BINGO'. Get…

Knowle Westers sorting out their housing. Recorded with a live audience in the prototype We Can Make House, in this episode, hosts Makala Cheung and John Bennett chat with Knowle West residents, Becky and Jenny, about the importance of negotiating and communicating with neighbours when it comes to building new homes. Get stuck into this episode's g…

Knowle Westers sorting out their housing. Recorded with a live audience in the prototype We Can Make house, in this episode, hosts Makala Cheung and John Bennett chat with Knowle West residents Gillian and Lewis about the realities and workarounds when it comes to affordable homes. This episode's game 'Closest Wins' introduces the shocking stats ar…

What is it about having your voice heard that makes Bristol more age friendly? This audio portrait features Tim Kindberg and his poem 'The Leaving', and presenters from The Babber's Show on Ujima 98FM. First broadcast on 23rd July 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About the series 'My Voice' is part of 'Here We Grow', a publication-podc…

How does inviting people to join in the fun and make friends make Bristol more age friendly? This audio portrait features Ivana Svabic-Canon talking about her woodcut, 'Jump!' and, members of Begbrook Retirement Club. First broadcast on 16th July 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About the series 'Join In!' is part of 'Here We Grow', a …

How do we connect to the information we need? What does an age friendly connection look like? Featuring A A Abbott and her flash fiction piece, 'A Taste of Paradise', and members of Bristol Older People's Forum. First broadcast on 9th July 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About the series '#connected' is part of 'Here We Grow', a publi…

How could making people feel dignified and included make Bristol more age friendly? This audio portrait features Tony Wilson and his written piece 'Cider Face', and the members of the creative group, Happiness Seekers. First broadcast on 2nd July 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About this series 'Dignity' is part of 'Here We Grow', a …

What makes a Bristol home age friendly? This audio portrait features Margaret Perry and her letter of memories about her home, and the residents at Chichester House. First broadcast on 25th June 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About this series 'My House, My Home' is part of 'Here We Grow', a publication-podcast about growing older in…

How do age friendly communities improve health and well-being in Bristol? This audio portrait features Emma Burleigh, her art students and their art piece 'What do you do to feel well?' and members of Bristol and Avon Chinese Women's Group (BACWG). First broadcast on 18th June 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About this series 'Feeling…

Kindness and driverless cars: what could age friendly transport look like in Bristol? This audio portrait features Betty Sargent and her poem 'Talking to Strangers' and researchers and volunteers from FLOURISH Mobility. First broadcast on 11th June 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About the series 'My Value' is part of 'Here We Grow', …

What is it about working and volunteering that makes older citizens feel valued and Bristol more age friendly? This audio portrait features Marian Liebmann and her poem 'Meandering Ways of Life Paths' and The Ardagh Shed Men and Repair Cafe. First broadcast on 4th June 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM. About the series 'My Value' is pa…

What makes Bristol's inside and outside spaces age friendly? This audio portrait features Angie Cox talking about her Bristol Rocks and Ben Barker introducing the Bedminster Toilet Map. First broadcast on 28th May 2018 on The Babber's Show on Ujima Radio 98FM About the series 'Inside, Outside Spaces' is part of 'Here We Grow', a publication-podcast…